Re: _Chamant_ (was: Elvish ideas)

John Cowan sikyal:

> Andreas Johansson scripsit:
>
> > _Chamant_, which word I can't
> > think of an adequate English translation of. It's the definite pl of _camath_,
> > which denotes the group of people owning allegiance to a lord (_can_) or lady
> > (_cea_)*.
>
> "The Covassalages".
>
> "Covassals" are vassals who owe homage and fealty to the same lord (or lady),
> and "covassalage", though not AFAIK attested, is a reasonable term for
> the relationship between covassals.  It is common in English for semantic
> extension to take a term for a relationship and extend it to a group whose
> members stand in that relationship ("brotherhood", e.g.).  Then we just
> make it plural and definite.
>
> Could anyone who has an OED available look up "covassalage", please?
I get no results at OED.com, but for "vassalage" I get:

    1. a. Action befitting a good vassal or a man of courage and spirit;
prowess in battle, warfare, or other difficult enterprise. Obs. exc. arch.

    b. A brave or chivalrous act; a noble or gallant exploit. Obs.

    c. Pre-eminence, supremacy. Obs.1

    2. The state or condition of a vassal; subordination, homage, or
allegiance characteristic of, or resembling that of, a vassal.

    b. In semi-personified use.

    c. In the phrase to hold (lands) in vassalage.

    3. Subjection, subordination, servitude; service. Freq. const. to.
a. To a person or persons.

    b. To some influence, esp. of a detrimental kind.

    4.    a. The authority of a superior in relation to a vassal. Obs.

    b. An estate or fief held by a vassal.

    5. A body or assemblage of vassals.
>
--
Jesse S. Bangs jaspax@u.washington.edu
http://students.washington.edu/jaspax/
http://students.washington.edu/jaspax/blog

Jesus asked them, "Who do you say that I am?"

And they answered, "You are the eschatological manifestation of the ground
of our being, the kerygma in which we find the ultimate meaning of our
interpersonal relationship."

And Jesus said, "What?"